I’m a 35-year-old Chinese-American working in Silicon Valley, tormented by complex anal fistula for a year. Five surgeries in the US failed—recurrent infection, pus, and severe pain made sitting/standing unbearable, disrupting work and life, and I nearly gave up hope. Recommended by a friend, I learned the Anorectal Department of Longhua Hospital (Shanghai University of TCM) is globally renowned for complex anorectal diseases. I traveled from the US to Shanghai in October 2024 for treatment. Doctors gave me an integrated TCM-Western plan centered on their signature “thread-drawing therapy” plus modern technologies. During treatment, silk threads coated with pus-clearing TCM were threaded into the fistula to dissolve the wall and remove toxins, paired with anal fistula endoscopy, advancement flap technique, and laser for precise lesion targeting. Post-op, I took TCM healing granules and received specialized TCM nursing. The process was smoother than expected with no serious discomfort. By early November 2024, I fully recovered and was discharged—fistula cured, no recurrence, and intact anal function. I’m finally back to normal work and life, truly grateful to Longhua’s doctors!